Georgia Wildlife Resources Director Named President of North American Association

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (9/12/2013)

The director of Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division is helping lead the organization that represents fish and wildlife agencies across North America.

Dan Forster was named president of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies during the association’s annual meeting in Portland this week.

Forster, a Georgia native, has served as Wildlife Resources Division director for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources since 2004. The division is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting wildlife resources in the state.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ governing board is made up of fish and wildlife agency directors from state and provincial governments including all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico. Dating to 1902, the association advances science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public’s interest.

Forster has served the association in a number of leadership roles. He immediately begins a one-year term as president.

“It has been extremely rewarding working with my professional colleagues from across the continent on a variety of wildlife conservation issues critical to Georgia, and I am humbled by their confidence in my leadership at this important time,” Forster said.

The association’s role varies from representing state agencies on Capitol Hill to providing members coordination services on species-based programs, while also working closely with a variety of federal agency and industry partners and national conservation organizations including the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Quail Forever, the National Rifle Association and others. These efforts are based on the North American Model of Conservation, the world’s most successful system of policies and laws to restore and safeguard fish, wildlife and their habitats through science and management.

As Wildlife Resources director, Forster provides leadership and policy directives for an agency responsible for hunting opportunities on more than 1 million acres of public land, plus management of 110 wildlife management areas, 10 public fishing areas and seven regional education centers. Hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife watching include millions of Georgians and sport a multi-billion-dollar economic impact on the state.

Forster, a certified wildlife biologist and University of Georgia graduate with a Master’s in wildlife biology, began work with the Wildlife Resources Division on the Georgia coast in 1990. He and his wife, Jennifer, and their two children live in Social Circle.